Kids' education

DCO provides a range of services and resources for Defence children, to assist with the transition between schools and education systems when families move, and to provide support for the unique needs of Defence students.

We recognise that some Defence children may experience disruption to the academic and social aspects of their schooling each time they move for a posting. We have a range of services and resources on offer which work to assist with the transition between schools and education systems, and provide support for the unique needs of Defence children.

This support includes:

specialised staff, Regional Education Liaison Officers, in each State to advise families and schools on education issues and Defence student wellbeing,

funding for in-school support staff, Aides and Mentors, to help Defence students integrate into a new school and provide them with support,

financial assistance for some education costs incurred as a result of relocations, and

regional education information to inform families about the major differences between the state and territory education systems.

REDLOs

REDLOs

Regional Education Liaison Officers, or REDLOs, give education support to Defence families as they move around the country, providing information, advice, referral and specialised assistance.
This includes:

informing families about local schools and education systems and working with parents, students and teachers to manage the transition to a new, location and school,

linking families with special education providers, resources or support agencies according to their children’s individual needs (including special needs students),

working with schools to ensure a supportive educational environment and to raise awareness of issues facing Defence children,

In-school Defence School Transition Aides & Mentors

To minimise the impact of the mobile lifestyle on children’s education, DCO provides funding to schools with high numbers of enrolments of Defence children.

The Defence School Transition Aide (DSTA) Program provides funding to support schools engage a Defence School Transition Aide (DSTA) or Defence Transition Mentor (DTM) to minimise the impact of mobility on education and build the capability of the school to support Defence students particularly during transitions into and out of the school and during parental absences.

The aim of the DSTA Program is to facilitate the best possible educational outcome for children of Defence members through on-site, direct and flexible assistance to students, parents, teachers and other support services.

This program is a reflection of the commitment by Defence to support its members and their families and recognises the partnership between education authorities, Defence and schools.

Funding and program guidelines

The DSTA Program is funded annually and each allocation is determined by eligibility criteria which determine the amount of funding that each eligible school is entitled to. The criteria include the following:

number of students who are dependants of full time serving Defence members

rate of mobility in the local posting location, and/or isolation of posting location

operational tempo of the local military base or training facility

Other factors which are considered:

school commitment to continuous improvement in response to Defence family needs

school commitment to the DSTA Program and compliance to the governance requirements as detailed in the program guidelines
If at anytime you would like any information regarding the DSTA program send an email to dsta.program@defence.gov.au.

In-school support

DSTAs and DTMs are based within primary and secondary schools across Australia for the purpose of providing support to the children of mobile Defence families.

Aides and Mentors' activities include:

assisting children and families to integrate into the new school and local community,

monitoring the social, emotional and academic wellbeing of Defence students,

Regional education

As they relocate around Australia, mobile Defence families may encounter differences in the way states and territories and individual schools deliver education.

Our educational advisory service can provide you with advice and information to help you make informed decisions about education options for your children.

Education advice

The My School website is a government-run website which allows you to search and compare almost 10 000 schools across Australia, and includes a find-a-school function, school performance ratings and profiles, and links to school websites.

You can source other information from the state or territory department of education, including details of:

local schools (including specialist schools),

government school term dates and public holidays,

support for students with special needs,

compulsory schooling and school entry ages,

state or territory curriculum (note that the Australian Curriculum is being progressively developed and implemented nation-wide), and

education and training policies.

However, you should contact individual schools for details of:

enrolments,

courses and programs on offer,

uniform requirements,

school fees or levies payable,

programs and opportunities for high-achieving students,

private school term dates,

special needs facilities and programs,

distance education options (for students in isolated areas or with special circumstances), and course selection for secondary students, including vocational options and prerequisite subjects for university admission.

Financial support

Financial assistance

A range of financial support is available to help minimise disruption to schooling caused by posting. The aim is to provide the student with educational stability or limited interim assistance to help avoid or overcome any immediate difficulties with education or emotional wellbeing as a result of relocating.

Tutoring

Defence may reimburse fees for tutoring required to fill any gaps in understanding or curriculum caused by changing schools. Students may be entitled to up to 14 weeks of tutoring in any subject that has been identified by the school as representing a gap in learning. This applies to primary and secondary students, within the first 18 months of enrolment at the new school.

Boarding school allowances

You may choose to have your child attend boarding school, so they do not have to relocate with you and disrupt their education. In this instance, where the child is in the critical years of schooling (years 9‑12), you may be entitled to financial assistance for the compulsory tuition fees and accommodation costs of the school.

Tertiary accommodation

If your dependant is studying at a tertiary institution, and their chosen course in not available in the new posting location, financial assistance may be available for accommodation costs for the dependant to live near or at the tertiary institution. This applies only to full time undergraduate students and is capped at a maximum of three years' assistance.

Students with special needs

Practical assistance is available for dependents with special needs. This includes assessment, therapy, tuition and additional support where students had received these services in their old location and aren't able to access them at their new posting. Dependents with special needs may also be entitled to reimbursement of private schooling costs, if a necessary special program is only available at a non government school.

Scholarship loss

If a student has to give up an education scholarship or bursary due to changing schools, Defence may pay their educational costs to the value of that scholarship.

Reunion travel

If your child is studying at a location distant from your posting, you may access funds towards the child's travel expenses to come to your location for a reunion. The child must already be receiving education assistance, and will be entitled to one return journey each calendar year.

To apply

For more information about this program, contact the all-hours Defence Family Helpline on1800 624 608, or consult your local REDLO.